How to Visit the Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoo officially opened on August 1, 1928, on 125 acres in Detroit, Michigan, near 10 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue. A member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, The Detroit Zoo is operated by the non-profit Detroit Zoological Society and exists to demonstrate leadership in wildlife conservation and animal welfare. There is always something new to see here due to the zoo's practice of borrowing (and exchanging) animals from other zoos, and the frequent birthing of new zoo animal babies.
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Things You'll Need
- Entrance ticket, parking fee, comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen, backpack, bottled water, snacks
Instructions
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Decide whether to purchase single entrance tickets or annual membership passes. When visiting the zoo more than twice each year, an annual membership usually is a better value. One benefit with membership is the fact there is no waiting in long lines, parking is free, and the several gates reserved for members makes the check-in process speedy.
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Decide when to visit the Detroit Zoo. It's open year-round, but during the winter some of the exhibits are closed, the hours of operation are shorter, and fewer animals are outside for public viewing.
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Decide what time of the day to go. Although there usually is a big rush right at opening time to get into the zoo, it's usually less crowded in the morning.
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Purchase one-way tickets for the Tauber Family Railroad, which goes to the far end of the zoo, and use them at the train station located to the left of the gate after entering the zoo. Doing this makes any zoo outing much more comfortable, especially for first-time visitors. Railroad passengers travel away from the crowds and are always walking towards the exit gate.
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Save the inside exhibits for cool, cloudy, windy days and see the outside exhibits when the weather is warm and sunny. The zoo is too large to see in a single day and to do justice to all the exhibits.
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Indoor exhibits include the Wild Adventure Ride, Holden Museum of Living Reptiles, Amphibiville (National Amphibian Conservation Center,) Matilda R. Wilson Free Flight Aviary, Wildlife Interpretive Gallery and Butterfly Garden, and the "Penguinarium."
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Outdoor exhibits include animals of the prairie, animals of Australia, South American animals, and African birds and small animals. Don't miss the award-winning "Arctic Ring of Life" that houses seals and polar bears, and features an underground, underwater tunnel allowing you to see them in their natural habitat.
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Tips & Warnings
The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd. In Royal Oak, Michigan. Its telephone number is (248) 398-0900.
Annual zoo memberships include reduced entrance fees to American Zoo Association member zoos across the United States and Canada.
Look at the zoo's website for special events such as Halloween Trick or Treating with zoo animals, plus a map in PDF form to aid in navigation around the grounds.
Contact the zoo about hosting children's birthday parties and other family events.
There are a few snack bars and one cafeteria-style restaurant on the zoo grounds. However, be aware that their food choices are limited and their prices are a bit high. Bring low-sugar snacks to keep energy levels up and bottled water to keep your body hydrated while walking.
